Australia: Bat Out Of Hell has favorable chance to break losing streak

A poor start and a troubled stretch run led to a third-place finish by a little more than a length for the gelding Bat Out of Hell in Australia July 8.

A new rider, a longer distance, and a better post will make Bat Out Of Hell a strong favorite to end a seven-race losing streak in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney Tuesday evening.

Bat Out Of Hell, a winner of 2 of 10 starts, will be ridden for the first time by James McDonald, Australia leading rider by money earnings for the 2022-2023 season that ended on Monday.

The race on the Kensington course is restricted to colts, geldings and horses will be Bat Out Of Hell’s first start 7 3/4 furlongs since a third in a handicap at Canterbury Park in January.

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On July 8, Bat Out Of Hell ran at seven furlongs on the main course at Randwick. Ridden by Ashley Morgan from post 2 in a field of seven, Bat Out Of Hell broke slowly and was held up in traffic for much of the stretch run. For Tuesday evening’s race, Bat Out of Hell breaks from post 8 in a field of nine, which should help his closing style.

Bat Out Of Hell was the 8-5 favorite in early betting on Monday, a solid choice over Fuller (3-1) and Sweysive (5-1).

Fuller, winless in his last seven starts, was beaten slightly less than 1 1/2 lengths in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury Park July 12 after setting the pace. Fuller often runs as a stalker.

Sweysive has won two of his last four starts since late May, with both wins at 6 ½ furlongs. Sweysive was third by a little more than 3 ¼ lengths in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens July 22, but had an unlucky trip through the stretch, racing in traffic from the quarter-pole to the eighth pole.

Sweysive appears to be the most significant danger to Bat Out Of Hell.

The program on the Kensington course begins at 10:50 p.m. Eastern or 7:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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